Max’s 25g Frag/Display tank

Max_nano · Dec 4, 2020

Hi R2R, I have a build log on my local forum BAR. But I want to start one here as well because I find the peer review to be invaluable as a newcomer to reefing. The first few posts will be copied from my existing build log. This is my apartment build because I was limited to 25g and unlike many others on here, I will be following that rule. But I’m making the best of it with a long and shallow peninsula

check out my hello post here for some pics while I work on getting them posted here. Enjoy!

It’s been almost 1 year since I set up my first tank. I got into this hobby after growing up with a 5’x2’x5’ reef tank that my parents had serviced then seeing that I could replicate it in my college house in a 10 gal. I had a nuvo 10 for 3 months, then upgraded to a Red Sea Reefer 170 for 4 months, then I moved everything into a 24”x24”x12” frag tank and fell in love with the shallow tank style. I did almost completely set up a 90 cube but it was too big for my apartment so I got a somewhat custom 25 gal AIO from luckreef on eBay, the Advanced acrylics outlet store. here’s the setup I’ll have to run this tank starting out:

Lights: G4 XR30 supplemented by 2 24” aliexpress 470nm led bars that are dimmable via a BoB and dimmable power supply controlled by my GHL
Return pump: Sicce 1.0 to soft tube
Powerhead: ai nero 5, planning to add another
Filtration: so far just floss and some rubble in the return chamber, I’m looking into biomedia options and looking at media reactors and skimmers for AIO
Dosing: GHL 2.1 SA doser
Alk monitor: KHG pro
Controller: GHL profilux mini with power bar
ATO: Smart ATO micro
Stand: Overkill aluminum stand that one day will hold a 90 cube, one day....

Dosing plan:
Acropower 1ml/day
Flatworm stop
TM All-for-reef until I run out, then I’ll look at other options

stocking plan:
My two clowns (Buddy and *******)
Cleaner shrimp (Jacques)
2 Mexican turbo snails
2 astea snails
2 trochus snails
Lots of pods (eventually, gotta seed the tank)

tank goals: I want to grow out SPS frags, and maybe grow some zoas on the bottom. The shallow depth might make some interesting growth patterns

for now I have the lights held up by the old stand for my other frag tank, but hooks will arrive for ceiling mounting on Thursday

Max_nano · Dec 4, 2020

Some updates to the build list:

Lights: G4 XR30 supplemented by 2 24” aliexpress 470nm led bars that are dimmable via a BoB and dimmable power supply controlled by my GHL
Return pump: Sicce 1.0 to soft tube
Powerhead: ai nero 5, planning to add another
Ice cap 2k gyre
Filtration: so far just floss and some rubble in the return chamber, I’m looking into biomedia options and looking at media reactors and skimmers for AIO
Dosing: GHL 2.1 SA doser
Alk monitor: KHG pro
Controller: GHL profilux mini with power bar
ATO: Smart ATO micro
Stand: Overkill aluminum stand that one day will hold a 90 cube, one day....

Dosing plan:
~~Acropower 1ml/day~~
Flatworm stop
~~TM All-for-reef until I run out, then I’ll look at other options~~
ESV B-ionic 2 part (5mL of each part)
ATI coral nutrition (currently dosing 2mL of nitrates. But I diluted the 3 parts with 1500mL Since my tank volume is so small)

Max_nano · Dec 4, 2020

The tank has been setup for around 6 months now. I have learned a lot while diving into the world of sps and I think the tank is in a good spot now.

I took a big hit when I had a RBTA get sucked into either the Nero or gyre and pretty much nuked the tank. Due to my situation I was forced to get the corals into the tank pretty early on, but I had been cycling the base rock in another tank to try and jumpstart things. I do think I should have taken the transition slower, but I did what I had to do.

It kinda bums me out to see the old pics and all the beautiful corals I lost, but it also serves as a reminder to take things slow and be careful with nems.

Max_nano · Dec 8, 2020

I gave too many frags away to local reefers, and it lowered my salinity cause I didn’t think to top off with salt water. Salinity was around 33.5ppt before my weekend water change. I raised it back to around 34.5-35ppt and it caused rtn to a wild soli frag I had from a friend. At least that’s my best guess, I should have raised it slowly.

Here are some more current photos
Both full spectrum and blue

Max_nano · Dec 15, 2020

More pictures

Max_nano · Dec 15, 2020

I’m currently dosing:
5mL b-ionic 2 part
1mL KZ Flatworm stop
3mL ATI Nitrates (diluted with 1500mL of RODI)

I am thinking about adding the coral booster from KZ, and may try the Red Sea aminos. I think it would be best to start with one so I can distinguish the changes. I liked how AB+ made my corals look in my previous tank that was mostly softies/zoas and lps

what do you think?

Max_nano · Dec 17, 2020

I realized my build thread tag on my profile was linking to the page explaining how to link your build thread. I think I fixed it now.

Tanks doing great, I did a 5 gal water change today. New salt water was cold and I was too lazy to heat it up, but not too lazy to do a water change one deli container cup at a time. One cup in, one cup out. I am working from home and just did a cup each time I walked past the tank.

I think my next addition will be equipment to do AWC. I’m a bit worried about trusting it to work safely, so I think I’ll start off by getting the equipment in place but running the WC only while I’m near the tank. I am a GHL fan so I plan on using the maxi dosers, and I already have optical level sensors I can use as a failsafe. I believe it should be fine to use the dosing calibration on the pumps to ensure it’s an equal amount of water being changed. And then I can have a shut off high and low sensor with the optical sensors.

And after that block of text, I owe some pictures so enjoy some top downs of my wee acropora. Hopefully they’ll take off soon!

Battle Corals Bohemia